Brain-Fat Cell Communication Discovered

Researchers from University of Bonn, University Hospital Bonn, and Tohoku University have discovered a previously unknown mechanism for 'conditioned taste aversion' in fruit flies. Led by Ilona Grunwald Kadow, the study revealed that the immune system communicates with fat cells, which then signal the brain to avoid harmful food sources. This involves the release of octopamine from neurons to fat cells, triggering dopamine production in fat cells, which then activates learning networks in the brain. This understanding could be relevant to humans, particularly in the context of eating disorders like anorexia and obesity, by clarifying the complex interaction between metabolism, the immune system, and the brain. The research was funded by the German Research Foundation, the iBehave Network, and the Human Frontier Science Program Organization.